Help with Apistogramma baenschi/Apistogramma sp. "Inca 50"

[Lanky]

Hey, you seem to know a lot about these guys, so i want a bit of advice.

See, my flatmate just brought home a pretty fish she saw (happens to be an inka 50, which id never even heard of). Its a single female inka, in a tank with 6 neon tetras and one emperor tetra. She was told that the same food the tetras have would be fine for the inka, but she seems uninterested (theyre tropical flakes). She's also spending a lot of time hiding under ornaments, at the tank bottom. Im not sure if shes ill or just shy, as the spots at the tank bottom seem the most secluded and darkest.

Its a pretty beautiful fish, and ive found myself quickly attached. Usually i like to research my fish well before i buy it so i know how it will blend into the tank and what it may need, but i know nothing about this one and im afraid its going to die before i can learn. Can you help me out dude?

[Wackytpt]

It will takes a few days before the apisto settle down in the tank.

And it is normal that the apisto hides in a new environment.

Inka 50 is also known as Apistogramma baenschi "Inka50".

You can try to feed it pellets or live food.

Do keep us updated on the progress.

[sheng]

Feeding sinking pellets will be good.

[illumnae]

don't be too alarmed if your fish doesn't charge at the food as you drop it in like the tetras do. apistos like to pick at food from the substrate, so she may be eating when you're not watching.

also, apistos do enjoy staying near the middle to bottom of your tank, rarely do you see them spend extended amounts of time at the top of the tank

other than that, wackytpt is right in saying that it does take them time to get used to the tank. after a few days, you'll probably see her exploring her new territory and occassionally chasing your tetras around

[Lanky]

Cool guys, thanks for that it eases my mind. I'll keep you guys posted about her progress

[genes]

Apistogramma baenschi are beautiful fishes, both male and female. Not all Apistogramma takes staple food readily. They have to be trained. And since they are bottom dwellers, they are very shy to take food from the surface. So check for sunken belly, she may not be eating after all. In the case of sunken belly, feed her live food to pump her up before slowly introducing sinking pellets again.